Electricity control system, apparatus and method

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for controlled provision of electricity through an integrated dual system, in which a first part of the dual system both provides electricity and charges the second part of the dual system.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for power smoothing at a power receiver, the power receiver being sensitive to both power fluctuations and also to a minimum energy threshold, the method comprising: initially providing power to the power receiver from a steady power source; detecting fluctuation in power levels beyond a certain tolerance by a smart control system, wherein said smart control system monitors power provided to the power receiver from said steady power source; and initiating provision of power from an energy storage apparatus by said steady power source to achieve power smoothing. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said steady power source comprises an electrical power grid. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said steady power source provides at least 50% of the power for the power receiver. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the smart control system controls the amount of power being supplied by the energy storage apparatus in order to maintain the power received by the power receiver within the desired tolerance. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising determining whether the energy storage apparatus absorbs excess power or provides additional power by the smart control system. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein power provided by said steady power source has power spikes, the method further comprising causing the energy storage apparatus to absorb the extra power by the smart control system. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising causing a further power source to provide power to the power receiver by the smart control system. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said power receiver is selected from the group consisting of a building, a dwelling, a commercial building, a factory, a refinery, a hospital, prison or other institution. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said further power source comprises one or more of a fuel based generator, wind power, hydro power or solar power. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising providing a power receiver battery, an electric vehicle battery, and a smart meter at the power receiver, wherein the smart meter monitors power consumption from the electrical power grid and the electric vehicle battery, and wherein the smart control system monitors the power receiver battery and the smart meter; determining a tariff for electricity charges from the electrical power grid; determining a power level at the power receiver battery and the electric vehicle battery; feeding power from the electric vehicle battery or from the power receiver battery if the tariff is over a predetermined level; and otherwise feeding power from the grid to the electric vehicle battery, the power receiver battery or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising providing a smart meter and a battery at the power receiver, wherein the smart meter monitors power consumption from the electricity grid and wherein the smart control system monitors the battery and the smart meter; monitoring power consumption from the electricity grid by the smart meter; monitoring the battery and the smart meter by the smart control system; detecting anomalous behavior by the smart control system; and issuing an alarm by the smart control system. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said detecting said anomalous behavior comprises receiving information regarding said anomalous behavior from at least one of the battery and the smart meter. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising providing a plurality of sensors, wherein said detecting said anomalous behavior comprises receiving information regarding said anomalous behavior from at least one sensor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said detecting said anomalous behavior further comprises detecting a plurality of data parameters outside of normal ranges from a plurality of sources by the smart control system; and according to a combination of the number of sources, the number of parameters and the extent to which the parameters fall outside of normal ranges, determining that anomalous behavior has occurred by the smart control system. 
     
     
         38 . The method of any of  claim 37 , further comprising providing a remote control center; receiving said alarm by said remote control center; and determining an extent of said alarm by the remote control center. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said determining said extent of said alarm comprises receiving alarm information from a plurality of power receivers; and at least determining a geographical area related to locations of said plurality of power receivers. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said determining said extent of said alarm further comprises determining an amount of anomalous behavior at each of said plurality of power receivers. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising: providing a communication device for the energy storage apparatus; providing a remote control center comprising a remote control center communication device in communication with said energy storage apparatus communication device; analyzing a status of said energy storage apparatus and said steady power source by said smart control system; initiating communication between said energy storage apparatus and said remote control center through said respective communication devices; transmitting said status information from said smart control system to said remote control center; and receiving a command from said remote control center according to said status information.